Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 4 i Project Calm

Everyone has their own place they go to when they need to redet their mind. Somewhere that disconnects the noisy curents running through their head and enables them to pause, to be still. It might be the summit of a hill or mountain, the bank of a river, or the wonder of woodlands. For me it's the sea - the sounds, smells and breezes blow away my overheated thoughts and cool nerve and endings. We celebrate the sea this issue and its power to inspire, invigorate and comfort. As well as the coast, we champion the countryside, exploring the world of beekeeping. Through beeswax and honey, bees provide so much that soothes us, and observing their routines can become a meditative process. In cities, too, we can provide plants to…

OCEAN DREAMS In The Endorphin Effect, author Dr William Bloom describes how we can’t underestimate the importance of surrounding ourselves with images that remind us of what we love. Not only do they enhance our environment, but they trigger positive emotions. And that’s why we’ve commissioned this exclusive print by Matilda Smith to bring the salt spray of the sea to your home! Just print in four sections and tape together. TAP HERE FOR YOUR PRINTABLE POSTER COASTAL CHIC You can cut Matilda Smith’s illustrations of seashells and seaweed into four separate pictures, or frame them as one long banner. Plain wooden frames complement their natural beauty. You could even fashion your own frames from foraged driftwood and bring the seaside inside. matildasmith.co.uk TAP HERE FOR YOUR PRINTABLE ART…

On my desk there is a bowl of stones and shells, a new one harvested at every wild swimming spot I discover. While I pound away on my computer keyboard, away from the elements, their lines and ridges form shadowy faces that wink at me, nudging me back to the water I think of as my second home. I’m never away for long. Like many children, the sea was my favourite playground. Summer holidays were spent building sandcastles, rockpooling for crabs, and racing in and out of the freezing waves. These days not much has changed. The water pulls me in, no matter the weather or time of year. My husband stands on the beach, throwing a ball for the dog, while my intrepid daughter and I explore our submerged…

Weaving is one of the oldest crafts there is. The methodical meshing of materials to create anything from fabric to fences has been practised for centuries. And although, like so many processes, it’s become industrialised, it’s now finding its way back into our homes. Be inspired by our exploration of the craft to try weaving with paper, yarn, ribbons and more. Now that summer’s here, you can display shells and other seaside finds in your home to bring the coast indoors. A reminder of sea air and the lapping of waves is wonderfully relaxing.…

Cindy Hwang Bokser is a fibre artisan based just outside New York City. She worked in advertising for 15 years prior to founding Niroma Studio where she creates custom made macramé pieces and string. “My journey into creativity started with an art installation, which took me to weaving, then to my obsession with macramé,” she explains. It was through her job that Cindy visited Marfa, Texas, the art pilgrimage site made popular by artist Donald Judd. Inspired, Cindy had an urge to start exploring an art practice. “The next week I researched how to make a DIY loom, and a few days later I finished my first weaving,” she says. “Through Instagram I discovered macramé, a textiles practice where fibres are knotted rather than woven. It really caught my imagination.”…

This woven necklace is a unique piece of jewellery that will stand out from the crowd. Make it in your favourite shades and drape it loosely around your neck for a touch of yarny chic. You’ll need a frame loom that’s about 60cm long by 25cm wide; strong non-stretchy yarn for your warp (you can use wool but bear in mind the top of the warp will sit at the back of your neck in the finished necklace so don’t choose anything itchy!); weft yarn; scissors; tapestry needle; and a comb for beating down the weft. Where the instructions mention tabby weave, this means basic ‘in and out’ weaving where the weft thread passes under and over alternating warp threads. Let’s get started… 1. Plan out the design of your…

1. Using a cutting mat, craft knife and metal ruler, start by cutting your coloured and white papers lengthwise into 1cm strips (or you could use a paper guillotine). Try using the papers on pages 72 and 74. 2. Lay your vertical strips of paper out, fairly close to each other. You may wish to use a little Blu Tack or a length of low-tack tape along the top of the strips to help hold them in place on your work surface 3. Using the photos on page 75 as a guide, start weaving your horizontal strips under or over the vertical strips as necessary. The patterns are simple repeats, so it’s easy to add your own variations. 4. Continue row by row, then gently shuffle the strips into place…

Take time to search for your perfect pebbles. You may like smooth pebbles, buffed by the sea, or those with white lines running through them. If you want an actual ‘use’ for them, heavy pebbles make good dootstops, while the smaller, perfectly formed ones make original name places on a party table. Sea urchins can become candlesticks of various heights as well as salt and pepper holders. Dress the table with gentle pinks and whites to keep the theme soft and pretty. The single-tier candlesticks will look ravishing dotted around the bathtub, too. Be particular about the pebbles and rocks you choose. They can be beautiful, calming souvenirs that remind us of holidays and happy times. GATHER ROUND 1 STAR FEATURE The pink sputnik sea urchins used here have been…

Hands are our most remarkable tools. Capable of great strength but also great delicacy, they are the means by which we are best able to express ourselves. A simple touch can convey reassurance, love and support. And by crafting we can give voice to the creativity within. Celebrate your overworked, underappreciated hands! For full-body care, try a series of daily yoga poses to calm and centre you. Once you’ve found your inner calm you can carry it into the world to help others.…

In our technologically advanced world, when we seem busier than ever before, where everything can be done with a tap or a swipe of a finger, making things with our hands is more important than ever. We all know the simple joy that crafting something can bring, but does our desire to create stem from a deeper, primal need to make things? And why is using our hands so good for our wellbeing? Our hands are really clever when you think about it. Whether knitting, sketching or shaping clay, our hands quickly and instinctively learn how to perform lots of intricate movements. By letting our hands be active, we can slow our minds down and become absorbed in the creative task. In fact, making with our hands encourages mindfulness. Our…

I was an actress and former dancer living in New York in my early 20s and I felt a need for something that would centre me and connect me to what I now call ‘the magic’ of being alive. My body had always been a big part of my life as I used it to express myself, so yoga appealed to me. After my first class I felt like a window to something much bigger had opened up. I experienced a deep peace and grounding, as well as a lightness of being. My lifestyle alternated between healthy and depleting. When I found yoga I began a journey towards balance that has engaged me ever since. The term ‘yoga healer’ refers to our ability to focus our tremendous mental and physical…

1 Resist the urge to touch. As soon as we sit in silence it seems we get an itch, pain or some other discomfort. It’s our body trying to distract us from silent focus, so try to ignore it as best you can (without being in pain!). In most cases the discomfort passes or the urge lessens, and you will be rewarded with a higher tolerance of discomfort in everyday situations. 2 Make your head spacious, allow your mind to breathe. Then let this deeply felt openness creep down to your heart and the rest of your body. Feel yourself opening up to an awareness of not only what’s around you but what’s inside. 3 Allow heavy sensations to dissolve from your body to help sharpen your awareness. As your…

Look deeper in to nature and you will understand everything better. Summer is the time to celebrate the countryside – in particular, the gentle industry of bees. We hear the stories of four beekeepers, find tasty ways to use local honey and discover the Rivers of Flowers that support pollinators in our cities. Then we’re off to the coast and the tang of salty air. Why does the sea have such an incredible pull and why is sea swimming such a joy? We tune into the lull of the Shipping Forecast, plus find beautiful artwork to add a splash of coastal chic to your home…

THE HOBBYIST BEEKEEPER Seeking the advice of other a piarists gave Jeni Hewlett the confidence to set up her own hives, despite early set backs… Chester-based Jeni runs her own creative business with her partner, Andy, and in her spare time she grows her own produce. Beekeeping felt like a natural progression from this, especially as her father kept bees when she was a child. Having grown up helping him check hives and process honey, Jeni felt drawn to keep her own bees once she became a homeowner with a space big enough to keep them. Her first attempt at beekeeping wasn’t a success, however, and it was only when she joined a local group that things came together. With the help of these new friends, she grew to understand…

The time is quarter to one in the morning. While most of us sleep, there is a secret world awake, ready with radios tuned to Radio 4 for one reason alone. “And now the Shipping Forecast, issued by the Met Office on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency at 00:15 today.” Aside from the thousands of legitimate naval listeners who tune in to keep their vessel and crew safe, there are hundreds of thousands of listeners on dry land for whom the Shipping Forecast offers a different kind of security. We all find ourselves at sea from time to time. “Humber, Thames. Southeast veering southwest 4 or 5, occasionally 6 later. Thundery showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor…” The mother of a four-week-old baby sits in an armchair, nursing…

1 GET THE RIGHT GEAR A swimming-specific wetsuit has more shoulder mobility and buoyancy than a surfing suit, but will set you back at least £200. If you only plan to swim occasionally you can hire wetsuits. Alternatively, a rash vest is better than nothing and will also protect you from the sun. Goggles are a good idea if you want to do more than just splash about. There are plenty of great snorkelling spots in the UK, and masks and snorkels are inexpensive. Feet and hands feel the cold the most and can get numb and or painful quite quickly in cold water. If you want to try neoprene gloves and socks don’t be surprised if they make you feel a little clumsy at first. A swim hat will…

When we start a new hobby, there can often be a temptation to rush to your nearest store and buy all the kit you think you might need. But if you’re interested in weaving, you can start to explore the basic principles with items found around the home and in nature. Kate O’Sullivan’s project is a great way for you to learn how the basics feel and the kind of textures you might enjoy working with. And it’s also perfect for using up any odds and ends of yarn you might have lying around, as well as any prunings from the garden! Step 1 Before you start gather together a tapestry needle, oddments of wool, ribbon, fabric and string along with a wishbone shaped stick and a pair of scissors.…

“These pleated paper fans are a nod to the brightly coloured Chinese fans and lanterns that are hung at seafood feasts during summers in Scandinavia,” says Melissa. “The storebought fans are usually bright yellow, red and blue, with happy faces painted on them. These homemade ones, with their ocean-inspired colour palette, are a simpler, more elegant version. Make several in different shades of blue, and hang them from a patio or umbrella for a pop of colour.” Once you’ve mastered the pleating and completed your first fan, it’ll be a dream creating a few more, and before you know it you’ll have an armful ready to display in your garden or home. As well as adding a fun touch to the everyday, they make a wonderful styling idea for parties…

With cities and towns just a cycle, drive or even a boat ride away, it’s the sea stretching out as far as the eye can see that inspires the soothing monochromatic grey-blue tones and shades of white found in many Scandinavian homes. You can reproduce this in your home with nautical accents such as striped curtains and bedlinen, ropes, anchors, maps, fishing rods and antique fishing buoys. Open shelves bursting with pretty crockery, glassware, vases and candleholders match the blue and white coastal theme, while simple wooden chairs and tables add warmth. ISLAND LIFESTYLE 1 BUOYED UP Antique fishing buoys, once used in the surrounding waters, hang from a nail, giving a seafaring touch to the bedroom. 2 BRISK START TO THE DAY A primitive stool serves as a shelf…

Can you tell us how you got into papercutting? I grew up loving graphic imagery. As I child I’d obsessively copy the silhouette illustrations from my favourite book, A Necklace Of Raindrops. I was also obsessed with fuzzy felt. I didn’t know papercutting would be my trade but it was always a dream of mine to be an artist. Where do you get your inspiration from? I love anything that’s lighthearted, feminine and beautiful. I like my work to look hand-made, which is why everything is hand drawn and hand cut. Turning a single sheet of paper into an illustration for me is like sculpture – you get to watch something emerge from nothing. Describe the process of papercutting and why you enjoy it so much. I love papercutting because…

“Silence is the universal refuge, the sequel to all dull discourses and all foolish acts, a balm to our every chagrin, as welcome after satiety as after disappointment.” Henry David Thoreau There are distracting noises about which nothing can be done, apart from changing our attitude. This may involve the difficult task of ‘standing back’ and letting go of the anger and frustration the noise may generate within us. I was in conversation once with a softly spoken Thai Buddhist. He was the archetypal monk, with simple f lowing robe and gentle open smile – the very spirit of calmness. He was working temporarily in the Thai National Tourist office in London. I asked him how it was. ‘Fine!’ he answered, ‘but my colleagues are having a bit of a…

GREEN SILENCE BALI Bali Silent Retreat embraces the food philosophy of New Earth Cooking, with the cooks creating dishes from fresh organic ingredients. With labyrinth walking meditation, hot springs and its own medicine garden, this ‘green to the extreme’ eco-sanctuary is the ultimate natural experience. balisilentretreat.com RAMBLING SILENCE LAKE DISTRICT Connect with the restorative countryside of the Lake District, which has proved so inspiring for generations of artists and writers, with silent walking and reflection. Yoga and meditation are also on offer, with the yoga focused on helping support your walking. chaptersholidays.co.uk/mindfulness-in-the-mountains SILENCE & SOLITUDE SWEDEN Stilleben offers a silent retreat as part of a series of occasional workshops. There’s also the option of complete seclusion for you and up to three others at Kabin, a private island not far…

1 FRUITS OF THE SEASON Head to the Garden & Harvest Festival at beautiful Forde Abbey in Somerset on 16 and 17 September. Celebrity gardeners Charlie Dimmock and Christine Walkden will be giving talks, and the event is hosted by horticulturalist and TV presenter Toby Buckland. For information and tickets, visit tobygardenfest.co.uk 2 CELEBRATE INSECTS IN PAINT Cath Hodsman is a Cotswolds-based artist, entomologist, illustrator and teacher who specialises in painting, sketching and studying insects. You can join Cath at Kew Gardens on 26 July for her ‘Painting butterflies and other pollinators’ class. The class is suitable for all levels and each student will have their own microscope for the day, as well as beautiful insect specimens, in order to produce a beautiful painting. Visit bit.ly/2qUW85t 3 BEE CREATIVE MAKING…

Discover new ways to incorporate this sweet nectar in to your meals and keep our bees in business by trying KateO’ Sullivan’s local honey recipes. Honey is a raw product rich in health benefits. From clinical studies revealing that medical grade honey can kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria to a regularly recommended remedy for coughs, honey is one ingredient health advisors recommend time and time again. Honey can come in many forms, from the raw sort you’re most likely to find in your health food shop to the much more refined and processed runny version stocked on supermarket shelves. Finding a local source is a great way to cut down on your food miles while also supporting your local beekeeping community. Keep your eyes peeled in the warmer months at food fayres,…

My heart sank. I watched it go. It fought hard to keep afloat. I took my boathook, knocked back its jellyJish pulses. I had to make sure. Cracked, it bubbled silver as it dropped, an aspirin iaa then one toxic gulp like mercury breaking from a thermometer. It stopped struggling after that, twisted, turned in the tug of the tide, spiralling slowly down into the deep dark. I wat ched until I could see it no mo re . My mother warned me. You never know when you might want it back. To shut her up, I marke d it by the harbour buoy. I knew I wouldn't need it again. I crossed off years well enough without it, the sea coming in, going out, working, eating, sleeping. Except on…

MAKE A SPLASH The beauty and mystery of the mermaid has captured the imagination of sailors, artists and writers since ancient times. Our sea siren was created by Bristol-based illustrator Becki Clark, beckiclark.com TAP HERE FOR YOUR PRINTABLE PATTERN AND PAPERS 1. Print the mermaid pieces onto thin card. Cut out the mermaid head and body, the sections of her tail, her upper arms and lower arms. Take care around her hair and fingers. Cut out the fish bodies and tails. If you’re using a craft knife, make sure that the blade is nice and sharp. 2. Using the photo of our project as a guide, use an awl to make tiny holes in the pieces where you’ll need to join them. 3. You’ll need nine paper fasteners (split pins),…

Weaving is one of the most traditional methods of production, dating back to Neolithic times. From the simple act of interlinking wood to create fencing to using threads to produce fabric, weaving has strong links to traditional craft, practised in the home. The development of machinery meant that the production of a functional material for industry was possible. Many artisans developed specialised fabrics until the industrial revolution took weaving out of the home and into factories. With a new wave of lap looms now gaining popularity, weaving is enjoying a resurgence as a home-crafting activity. This time, though, the emphasis is on exploring the process as a creative pursuit, rather than simply for manufacturing, and creating small items that add colour and texture to the home. A lap loom is…

Mary first learned to weave in school during her A-levels when a teacher brought in a table loom for Mary to explore for a final piece in her portfolio. However, it was some time before Mary rediscovered her love of weaving again, as she trained and worked as a lawyer after college. Two years ago, Mary bought a wooden frame loom. “I started experimenting with a stash of vintage wools that I’d collected over the years,” she says. “I began making woven wall hangings and woven necklaces, and soon was hooked.” Now She sells her wall hangings and necklaces and runs workshops teaching others to weave. Mary works with two different sized wooden frame looms and a wide range of yarn and fibres, which she uses to build complexity, depth…

With paper so readily available in a huge variety of colours and textures, it’s so easy to get creative with different effects. From the brightly coloured crafting paper, to gorgeous handmade papers, to recycling magazine pages or newsprint, the only limit is your imagination. You can shape your woven paper into cute hearts, or keep the ribbons raw as in our tutorials. When it comes to patterns, start with some bold, simple up and over designs, then start looking for inspiration. Eye-catching geometric designs look fantastic and you can create suprisingly striking patterns. In fact, in Asia, paper weaving is a revered, traditional handicraft with artists creating the most intricate designs of beautiful landscapes, f lowers, animals and birds. You can also put your new weaving skills to practical use…

The joy of driftwood is that it’s usually well weathered, so creating things with it is less of a challenge than you might imagine – nails sink in easily and glue sticks to it well. As well as boats, there are many other wonderful things you can make with driftwood. Picture frames and heart- and star-shaped garlands are incredibly simple, or you could turn larger pieces into shelves or build them up to make candlesticks or lamp bases. If you’re miles away from a beach, it may not be so romantic, but you can buy driftwood online. Display your driftwood with shells and glassware in the home. COASTAL COOL 1 BEACHCOMBING COLLECTION Arrange your shells and beach treasures with books and accessories to create an evolving nautical vignette. 2 TROPICAL…

Who’d have thought these two would make such a charming combination? Succulents are ideal for planting in shells because they root easily and require simple growing conditions. They don’t need much water and won’t like sitting in very wet potting mix, so it’s important to check them from time to time and water if necessary, but make sure you don’t overwater. MINI GARDEN 1 ORGANIC ARRANGEMENT Start with the largest plant and push it into the shell, then add the second. When you take the third plant, tuck the roots between the first two plants, using your finger or the blunt end of a pencil to ensure the roots are embedded in the potting mix. Then water and leave to drain. You can display the shells outdoors if the succulents…

As a massage therapist and business owner for over 20 years, as well as a mother of three boys, I’ve certainly encountered my share of stressed-out men and women of all ages. And all of them have been more than willing to voice how the pressures of daily life are wearing them down. “I’m totally stressed!” is something I’ve heard countless times. But how many times have you heard someone say, “I’m totally touch-deprived”? Not too many, right? Most people are unaware that there’s an epidemic of touch deprivation in our culture. This serious lack of touch is adding even more anxiety and stress to our already stress-filled lives. Similar to the way stress can damage your body, a lack of touch can lead to aggression, depression, pain and many…

If you want to give someone – or yourself – a big hand for a job well done, a papercut high-five that’s loaded with congratulations is the most creative way to do it. Poppy Chancellor’s design is packed with details so you can really focus on your craft as you’re making it. GOTTA HAND IT TO YOU… Poppy’s high five is the perfect way to celebrate achievement – your own or someone else’s! And a handmade congratulatory message is the most thoughtful way to say well done. TAP HERE FOR YOUR PAPERCUT TEMPLATE 1. First make sure you have a cutting mat and scalpel. The scalpel blade must be really sharp to keep your cuts clean and avoid tearing the paper. 2. Print out the template onto thin cardbaord and…

Silence can calm us, clarify our thoughts and help us connect more easily with the world. It can reduce stress and improve our memories. But sometimes it can be hard to come by. A retreat provides the time, space and support you need to find your silence. We’ll help you find the retreat that’s right for you, from Devon to Bali. We also explore the idea of capturing holiday memories in collage. This accessible art form requires nothing more than paper, glue and scissors – and a quiet place to sit, snip and stick to your heart’s content and bring back those positive, peaceful moments.…

I’ve loved collage since I was small. It’s brilliant being able to use stuff that’s just lying around: old bits of newspaper, leaflets, letters and tickets from my travels. With collage, you can construct a picture quite organically, moving pieces around, building up a story. I rarely sketch out what I’m going to do first as the shapes I cut can be a bit unpredictable. Most of my best pieces have come from happy accidents – wet glue can make artwork wrinkle and distort, bits can fall off, and once it’s stuck you can have trouble changing anything. But these things add texture and uniqueness. I don’t want my artworks to look like perfect paintings because that’s not what they are. I like to create most of my own collage…

I live in London, one of the oldest and most maddening cities in the world. Not a day goes by when I don’t wonder how different my life would be if I lived in a cottage surrounded by fields. Sometimes living shoulder-to-shoulder with millions of other people just feels too much. The constant traffic, the noise pollution, the invasive food smells, the crowds! I usually avoid the busiest parts of the city but that doesn’t stop the city seeping into my space. My sister, on the other hand, lives with her family in the bucolic Cotswolds. Whenever I visit I’m always amazed by how inky dark the nights are there and how silent her house is when the kids are at school. In comparison my days are soundtracked by the…

YVETTE STREETER Yvette works for a Bristol-based craft magazine and writes in her spare time. This issue she explores her love for the sea and its appeal to generations of artists (page 28). She lives with her partner and their two spoilt cats, and loves animals, the great outdoors and cooking (mostly pizza). thelazyvegan.uk LOTTIE STOREY Writer and blogger Lottie lives by the water in Bristol with countless kids and kittens. As well as writing features for beautiful magazines (she honours the Shipping Forecast for us this issue, page 36), she’s a bit of a magpie and features anything that tickles her fancy on her blog, Oyster & Pearl. oysterandpearl.co.uk KATE O’ SULLIVAN Blogger and podcaster Kate O’Sullivan compiled our Nature and Home news pages, but also shared her favourite…